Shen Wei’s comfort tends to be quiet—more a matter of being there than performing consolation. I read that as the exact opposite of Zhao Yunlan’s approach, which is to flawlessly perform social expectations while always holding the deepest part of himself apart

Oooh, what a great observation!

I really feel like Shen Wei and Zhao Yunlan are about equivalent in both their capabilities and their difficulties in re interpersonal relations—just in ways that are unfortunately complementary. They’re both wearing masks most of the time, and they both have a real problem relying on other people. So it’s fascinating to watch how readily they rely on each other, while still wearing those masks so much of the time.

Yeah, I completely agree with this, too. They're both hiding so much about themselves, in very different ways, it's amazing they come together and fit together and work together so well. ♥

(I do wonder how much of that is a function of the time loop, and the fact that they both first encounter a version of the other who's already in love with them. It would all probably be much harder for them if they first met in a more linear way!)

Btw, totally friending you now. :)